Hope Rehab Internships
Intern Training Program
Psychology and Social Work Internships Abroad in Thailand
Hope has an ongoing intern training and education program with several major EU and UK universities. We select qualified candidates 10 times a year. The candidates work along side our team and clients to get practical experience of modern addiction treatment methods. Hope invites applications from all individuals studying related subjects (including people in recovery in related education) – Addiction studies, Counselling, Fitness, Psychology, Social work, & Nursing. The 10 places includes accommodation and food, we have a minimum commitment of 3 – 6 months.
Hope Rehab offers Internship for the following subjects or disciplines…
- Applied Psychology
- Clinical psychology
- Social Work
- Psychotherapy
- Addiction Counselling
Intern Handbook
Download our intern handbook to understand more about what we offer students and volunteers. An internship at one of the best international rehabs in the world – We are the longest running, most successful and most experienced Rehab in Asia. Hope has earned a worldwide reputation with its holistic treatment program. Our Approach is based on addiction science (ASAM) brain disease model using evidence-based treatment.
You get to live in a tropical paradise as Thailand is one of the most desirable places to visit on the planet. The weather is perfect if you like the sun and our facility is located close to beach and islands which you will visit regularly. There will be plenty of exciting things for you to see and do on your days off, and you are likely to quickly fall in love with Thai people, food and spiritual culture.
All interns and will be awarded formal certification when they achieve milestones during their practical internship at Hope Rehab, including the following….
- Meditation 6 X 20-minute group sessions.
- Fitness activities 6 X sessions.
- Life Coaching 6 X sessions with a client.
- Leadership skills
Psychology and Social Work Internships Abroad in Thailand. Interns come from UK, USA, Holland, and many other countries around the world. Most Interns are studying at universities and come to complete their work experience with Hope Rehab. Duties for Interns vary and involves a full working week, also shifts inline with a residential work environment. Hope has built a purpose designed Intern training center on our facility. Each intern gets a desk and will find time in-between duties to work on study assignments. Below are examples of what you can expect as duties:
- Group therapy observation up to twice a day.
- Managing information and general administration support.
- Developing new ideas for group therapies.
- Monitoring and reporting of clients.
- Do assessments and phone calls to prospective clients.
- Pick clients up from and drop them off at the airport.
- Participate in staff meetings, give feedback.
- Do intake of the clients on arrival/bag search.
- Participate in all sport activities.
- Supporting and assisting in group and individual activities or outings.
- Participate in meditation sessions.
- One-on-one sessions with clients on assignment work.
- Be a positive role model for the community.
- Write articles for Hope’s blog.
- Show willingness to learn and work hard.
- Enjoy Local Culture
Health Science Internship
Psychology and Social Work Internships Abroad in Thailand. Hope rehab is a therapeutic community helping people recover from addiction and mental health issues. The internship role involves:
- Health and safety.
- Motivating and inspiring.
- Presenting and public speaking.
- Active listening and counselling.
- Critical thinking and giving feedback.
- Monitoring.
- Assessment and screening.
- Coaching and training.
If you are interested in an internship at Hope Rehab, please get in touch with us by dropping us an email via enquiry@hoperehabthailand.com.
Intern Requirements
To be eligible for an internship or a volunteer program, the following criteria is required:
- A willingness to learn and participate in a rehabilitation program.
- To take part in the daily program, including exercise, mindfulness, and activities.
What you’ll be doing…
Examples of intern responsibilities might include the following assignments:
- Group work, one-to-one with clients.
- Attend meetings and interventions.
- Assist staff members with program-related tasks and projects.
WE choose applicants solely on their merit and not because of other factors such as nationality, gender, sexual preferences, race, or religion etc. Volunteer assignments are strictly unpaid and without financial compensation. However we do provide full accommodation, 3 meals a day and all activities are paid for.
Selina - Reflection on my experience at Hope
My name is Selina, I am a 23-year-old intern finishing my master’s in clinical psychology at Leiden University. Since I was very young, I was deeply intrigued by the influence and manifestations of upbringing and environment in development Having been an introverted and reserved kid, I have spent a lot of time introspecting and getting in touch with my inner world throughout my life. I have always had a feeling for how stress and trauma can be trapped
in the body and coped with through behaviors such as addictions or isolation. My belief is that we are in deep longing for connection; and when connection to peers or family fails, we find other ways. My childhood and adulthood have taught me great life lessons, which I have continuously expressed through music composition, as well as contemporary dance. Sometimes the difficulties we can’t bring to words need release through movement and art. I am deeply curious about the subconscious, about the human experience and a way forward to taking responsibility, while practicing authenticity and acceptance. I hope to support other people in their journey to liberation from suffering, to live a fulfilling life and find peace within one’s physical and mental presence. To me, addiction can be an expression of deeper underlying struggles that need careful attunement, support, and acceptance. As I personally also exercise meditation, mindfulness and prioritize to act according to higher principles,
I feel a deep connection to the values and the treatment program of Hope rehab. At Hope, I have experienced the importance of nourishment of one’s spiritual, physical, and mental health. Furthermore, I have seen first-hand that a change of environment with supportive peers and staff can have immediate effects on well-being and motivation. The people at Hope come from all around the globe, yet there is so much that unites us all and makes us remember what is really important in life. Every day I get inspired by and learn from the people around me. I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to both facilitate and join the many offers at Hope rehab. It is truly fulfilling to witness the growth, openness, and willingness of everyone here.
Luke - 21 year old intern from Holland
I came to Hope just after finishing my degree in psychology in the UK. Whilst deeply interested in the subject, I had little first-hand experience working in the field of mental health. I wasn’t completely sure if this was something I wanted to go into long term, so I began to look for the opportunity to get some insight and experience in this area without making any firm commitments. Stumbling across Hope, I was very excited to discover a centre which strongly embodied my
perspectives and values when it comes to mental health and recovery. Doing an internship at Hope rehab has been the perfect place to get a taste for this type of work, as well as to develop some core practical skills in the area and to learn more about the topic of addiction and mental health all the whilst living in and exploring Thailand. When I got here, I was surprised from the get go with how much the interns get to support and engage in the recovery of the clients. As well as helping to organise and run the various activities throughout the day, we also run our own daily “recovery+” groups. These sessions involve an open discussion around recovery related topics with the clients. In addition to this, the interns are assigned clients to practise one-to-one recovery coaching directly. This provides a great opportunity to both learn and understand the experience of clients, to discuss the things they’ve learnt necessary for their recovery, and to help set goals and measure progress during their stay. Such opportunities provide the possibility to get a real insight into the fundamentals of recovery and ways in which we can support this process.
A key thing that drew me to work at Hope rehab was the holistic approach employed by the Center. Beyond counselling and group sessions, it is clear to see that the supportive focus on meditation, fitness & gratitude is massive to the clients. Of these, I very strongly empathise with the mindful approach taken at Hope Rehab. My own experience with meditation has taught me how the practice can be used to settle one’s mind, allowing the individual to stand back and quietly observe mental chatter rather than being lost in it. I believe a great deal of suffering stems from being constantly lost in the narrative we build for ourselves, and I can see how developing a meditation practice during recovery has been a powerful tool to confront psychological suffering for many clients. Whilst studying my degree, I enjoyed exploring the debate between addiction as a disorder of cognition stemming from maladaptive beliefs, as opposed to accounts which more heavily emphasise the biological, social, and/or spiritual mechanisms at work. I have been incredibly interested in learning more about the Twelve Step approach as it is put into action at Hope Rehab, compared to other Cognitive-Behavioural models. It has been fascinating to observe to what degree these theoretical accounts of addiction are useful in recovery, as well as to watch their application first-hand.
I am very grateful to Hope for the opportunity of interning here. Beyond everything else, what has stood out to me most whilst working has been the people I have got the chance to meet, including the counsellors, the interns and clients. The supportiveness, determination and approachability of the staff here has consistently impressed me, and the positive, encouraging and friendly group environment created by the clients has been amazing to watch and participate in.
Lieke - Social Work Intern from Holland
Hello, my name is Lucy and I am a 21-year-old student from the Netherlands. I am pursuing a degree in Social Work, which is an exciting field that allows me to make a positive impact on individuals and communities around the world. Although this perticular internship was not part of my course I choose to undertake it. I am required to complete an internship and I made the conscious decision to dedicate five months of my life to supporting the mission of HOPE.
My decision to intern at HOPE stems from my genuine curiosity to explore and identify the specific target groups that resonate with me on a personal and professional level. Being at HOPE has allowed me to broaden my perspectives and understand the challenges faced by individuals struggling with addiction. Interestingly, I have discovered that working with this specific target group is not only rewarding, but also an enriching experience that promotes personal growth and self-reflection. During my time at HOPE, I have had the privilege to work closely with addicts, observing their journey towards recovery and witnessing their resilience in the face of adversity. The opportunity to be a part of their lives has not only been eye-opening, but has also taught me invaluable lessons about the complexities of addiction, the significance of empathy, and the power of fostering a non-judgmental and supportive environment. Through my interactions with the addicts at HOPE, I have learned that each individual has a unique story to tell. Their experiences have served as a profound reminder that addiction knows no boundaries, affecting individuals from all walks of life. This realization has further ignited my passion for understanding the underlying factors contributing to addiction, as well as the best practices in providing effective support and rehabilitation. HOPE’s dedication to helping addicts find their path to recovery has left a lasting impression on me. The organization’s holistic approach, which combines counseling, therapy, and various support services, has inspired me to explore different avenues within the field of social work.
I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from the dedicated professionals at HOPE who have guided me in understanding the complexities of addiction and the multifaceted approach needed to address its challenges. In conclusion, my time at HOPE has not only reinforced my aspirations to work with addicts in the future, but it has also provided me with a clearer understanding of my own strengths and areas of interest within the field of social work. I am immensely grateful for the eye-opening experiences and valuable insights I have gained during my internship, and I am eager to continue my journey in supporting individuals in their pursuit of a healthier and happier life.
Arnau, - Psychologist inter from Spain
My name is Arnau, I’m a 26 year old psychologist from Spain, Barcelona interning at HOPE Rehab. I came to HOPE seeking to learn how to work with clients, especially one-on-one, with the aim of becoming a counselor myself in the future. Here, I’ve gained a lot of confidence as a mental health professional, found “my voice”, and have been able to positively influence the recovery journey of several people. I chose HOPE because of its holistic, non-medicalized approach to mental health, where the aim is not to just relieve the symptoms (or prevent a relapse) but rather to work on the root psychological issues behind the addiction,
while at the same time giving people tools to care for their mental wellbeing once they leave treatment. I have also had the chance here to meet other like-minded interns, young people interested in the worlds of psychology and buddhism with a great desire to learn and discover, who have allowed me to expand and sharpen my knowledge in those fields while providing me at the same time with a warm and welcoming work environment. I now feel a lot more ready to start working with my own clients, have gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be an addict, and am confident that I can have a positive impact on many people’s lives.
Jolenta – Psychology Intern
Jolenta is a 23-year-old intern from the Netherlands. She is currently studying Applied Psychology at Hanze University Groningen. She is grateful to be part of the Hope team and is excited to learn from others. Especially the holistic approach of Hope spoke to her. Here she brings in practice what she learned during her studies. She uses her cheerfulness and enthusiasm to help clients in any way she can.
Nikki – Recovery Coach internship
I completed my own addiction treatment after several attempts trying to get clean and sober including many rehabs admissions. Hope Rehab changed my life forever and I finally got clean and sober. I am now part of the 12 step fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous. It is a privilege to be able to return to Hope as an intern and volunteer. Hopes recovery methods have the right balance of therapies, spirituality and physical excersie. Offering a variety of proven programs and alternative like Smart Recovery and Dahrma Recovery.I am extremely grateful to the Hope team and Simon Mott for giving me the opportunity and ongoing support.
Rosa – Psychology Intern
Rosa is a 23-year-old Psychology intern from the Netherlands, who is currently studying at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. She is willing to face a new challenge and learn everything that has to do with various addictions. She thinks the holistic approach of Hope is an inspiring way to look at addiction from different perspectives. Rosa was working at the national suicide prevention in the Netherlands where she worked with people who were suffering with suicidal thoughts or plans.
What Rosa learned particularly, was the solution oriented approach and motivational interviewing techniques to help these people. At Hope she can use this by working one-on-one with the clients, especially to guide them in their recovery plan for when they will leave Hope. She is using her positive attitude, natural way of making contact and enthusiasm to help the clients the best way she can. Since she is playing soccer for a long time now, she can share her joy and qualities with the clients every Saturday on the football field against the Thai police team.
“I love to see the progress the clients make in their time at Hope. From the moment of picking-up anxious and unhealthy persons until seeing them leave as strong, courageous and happy persons.”
Sports Psychology Intern Kris
Kris is an intern from the Netherlands. He is studying in Amsterdam to become a social worker, but came in contact with Hope through a minor he did in sports psychology. He has learnt a lot during his experience at Hope, not only as a professional but also as a person. When looking for an organisation to do his internship he found out that the more clinical
approach doesn’t suit his vision on how to help people. He feels very grateful to have found Hope which works with a holistic approach, having sports and meditation as a big part of the program. Along with the tasks that come with being part of the support staff, he also offers personal training. In these sessions he prefers working with body weight exercises. His goal is to create a strong connection between the mind and the body, creating a mindful experience by involving the breath properly.
Max Psychology intern
Max is a Psychology intern from the Netherlands, who is currently studying at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. He’s eager to be a part of the Hope team, to learn and grow during his time in Thailand. Before coming to Hope, Max has worked with people who suffered from vascular dementia. He was partnered with an elderly man.
What fascinated Max the most, was that even though there was a major age gap between him and his partner, they had a lot of fun together. Next to being partnered, he was active in a daycare for people with vascular dementia. Max’s strengths are his positive nature, enthusiasm, creativity and willingness to help. You can expect honesty, straight-forwardness and great music suggestions.
Laura – Psychology Intern
Laura is a Psychology intern from the Netherlands, currently studying at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. She is grateful and excited to be part of the Hope community, and help people in any way that she can. Prior to her internship at Hope, Laura has worked with people who suffered from mental health problems. Her role was to help people work on personal goals towards recovery. This experience has made a big impact on her and she was amazed by the growth and strength of the clients she met.
Corneel – Intern Social Work
Corneel is a 30-year-old intern from the Netherlands. He is a trained social worker, who is currently studying at the Noorderpoort College and will be at Hope for 6 months. Being clean and sober for 4 years now, Corneel wants to give back by helping and supporting others on their journey towards recovery. Corneel worked as a mentor for one of the biggest addiction clinics in the Netherlands VNN for 18 months.
Corneel’s key achievements were working as a motivational speaker for the clients as well as offering support to the parents and carers of those in treatment, helping them to get a better understanding and widen their knowledge of addiction. Promoting support and educating wider society, both at VNN and local Universities/ schools, teaching students about drugs, alcohol and addiction as well as prevention. Parallel to his work for the addiction clinic, Corneel did a one-year internship at a ‘walk-in’ house for the homeless. There he met people struggling with addiction, social anxiety, panic attacks, feelings of futility, estrangement and those who heard voices and self-harmed, had difficulties with mood swings or to keeping to a daily routine. He was able to expand his horizon, broaden his skill set and learned a lot about the often overlooked groups in our society. Corneel’s strengths are his personal experience with addiction and his cheerful, positive nature. He is a good listener and a great motivator. You can expect honesty, straight-forward answers and constructive feedback, as well as a good sense of humour.
Psychology Intern Nina
Hi, my name is Nina, and I am a 21-year-old intern from the Netherlands. I have worked at Hope Rehab for the last five months(22/11/16-22/04/17) and loved the experience. I got to observe all the therapy groups, join the mindfulness and meditation. I got to join the activities and exercises and create workshops. After observing the program and getting to know the clients I got more responsibilities. I got to work with clients one-on-one, and I learned a lot about coaching.
I had the opportunity to lead meditation and lead a mindfulness eating group. I really liked that I could set up my own projects and present them to the counselling team. I also got to work on a group about community with a counsellor where I learned a lot about presenting, leadership, and how to work with a group. The team is very supportive, and I could ask for feedback anytime. Hope organised a support staff meeting with interns, volunteers, and support workers every Wednesday to motivate, support, and encourage each other. The support staff can also give feedback to one another. I really love this, because it makes the team stronger and helps us to grow. If you take a lot of initiative and connect with the clients, you will have a great internship guaranteed.
I love to see how the clients are becoming vulnerable in group therapy and what strengths come from those moments. To see this transformation is just incredible.
Psychology Intern Pepijn
As an applied psychology student it has been a great experience to do my internship at Hope Rehab. When I first came here, I was quite nervous. Questions like ‘Are the clients going take me seriously?’ or ‘Am I going to fit in?’ popped up in my head. I recommend to every new intern to first observe how everything is done here. Try to be present at all the group activities and help out as much as you can.
If you have any questions you can go to any staff member. Everyone here is really supportive. Hope puts emphasis on sportive activities because a healthy & fit body plays a significant role in recovery. I like the fact that I can participate in these sportive activities as well as motivate clients to get active. It’s nice that there is room to set up your own things, e.g. jogging or create your own boot camp. I really enjoy seeing clients getting fit and feeling better about themselves. For me, that is highly rewarding. Regarding my studies, I learn a lot by observing the counsellors during group therapy and by speaking with them about their one-on-one sessions with clients. It’s inspiring to see how they put their knowledge into practice.
At Hope, there are enough opportunities to bring in your own ideas. You can pitch them to the counsellors during a weekly meeting to see if they’re good enough to be put into action and you can ask for feedback as well. I let myself be inspired by the clients when I am creating a new group or exercise. It’s also nice to contribute to the organisation’s culture. Just an example: We are currently trying to create a stronger bond and better communication among the support staff and interns. That will further improve the already good work climate and make certain processes more efficient. For me, this is what makes the internship experience here at Hope really amazing.
Psychology Intern Isabelle
Hi, I am Isabelle, and I am interning at Hope Rehab until the end of June. I am originally from the Netherlands, where I studied Clinical & Health Psychology. After finishing my Bachelors, I really wanted to gain practical work experience, which is why I applied for the internship at Hope. What interested me about Hope is the holistic approach to treatment. I have learned a lot about cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in my studies
but I wanted to learn more about different forms of treatment as well. I’ve been working here for 1,5 months now and I have in fact already learned a lot. I was introduced to the benefits of mindfulness and meditation, and I got to witness how family constellation therapy works and what TRE (trauma/tension release exercise) is. So far I got to observe a lot of group therapies, varying from process groups to CBT-focused groups. I also lead some of the meditations, which is something I really enjoy doing because it not only useful for the clients, but it makes me feel more grounded as well. I also do intakes with new clients, and register feedback from leaving clients. I am starting a Masters course in Clinical Psychology in September, for which I will also have to do an internship. I think that my experience at Hope really prepares me for that next step and helps me grow as a professional in the mental health sector.
There is a meeting every week for support staff, volunteers and interns, in which everyone can raise personal and work related issues. This has been very helpful; working here means that you have to be a role model and reflecting on a weekly basis helps us grow on a professional, as well as a personal level. We also have a weekly opportunity to pitch ideas to each other for group therapies or to practice leading those groups. In the next couple of months, I hope I will be able to create some ideas for group therapies and to take on some coaching activities to complement the one-on-one sessions with clients.
In this internship, you learn how to be a part of a team of professionals, how to take the initiative as well as how to interact with clients, set boundaries and reflect on you own behaviour as a professional. Learning these interpersonal skills is invaluable to me, and I would recommend it to anyone.
Psychology - Mina & Melissa (UK)
Hi! My name is Mina, I’m a 22 year old student, studying at the University of Essex in the UK. I will be interning here at the Hope Rehabilitation Centre until the end of September, when (unfortunately) I have to return to complete my final year at University. I am a very active person, and extremely passionate about helping others, my aim is to become a licensed psychologist – working at Hope is a great opportunity.
I love it here, the grounds at Hope are beautiful. My name is Melissa. I have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and have studied both at the University of Geneva and the University of California in Los Angeles. I previously worked in an Addiction Treatment Center in Los Angeles as a Community Mentor, and I’m excited to now be at Hope as an intern to further my experience.
Coming to Hope Rehab Thailand is the biggest and best decision I have ever made. Being here is an amazing experience and experience is the key word here. Every day of my internship I learn new things. I feel confident and supported by my colleagues as a full member of the team. Honestly, it is a wonderful place to be.
Psychology Intern Niels Nijland
It has been the most amazing experience of my life so far. The first two weeks I was adjusting to the new routine (getting up at 6 in the morning was not something I usually did) and the new place where I was going to spend the next six months. Luckily for me the staff at Hope are really supportive. They involve you in everything. I got to sit in every group, do all the activities.
What I really started to love about Hope were the people involved and the way they interact with each other and with me. There is a mutual respect between clients and staff that makes for a really nice atmosphere. My first weeks I engaged in everything, made long days but it was worth it. After a while I got more responsibilities. I also found it very important to try and connect with the clients. Read more about Niels experience here…
I came to Hope as a psychology intern. Thank you for offering me the opportunity of an internship a few months ago at Hope Rehab. Working with the group and with you was very enriching and fulfilling and I still think fondly of this month and experience. Despite having a large and diverse team, you were obviously a leader with great talents to sum up and bring new ideas and energy to the discussions, both to the team and the clients. I learned so much with you that I could not learn in university or at any school I guess, so thank you again.
Nerissa – Hope’s First Intern
My name is Nerissa Hoogmoed and I am Hope Rehab’s first intern. I have been asked to share my experience with you. This is not perfect, because experience doesn’t translate to words very well but I will do my very best. Working here as an intern is like being a full member of the staff. Fortunately, I am supervised very well. I am supervised by a teacher from school and also by the head counsellor here.
Hope Rehab offers a lot of learning opportunities and it is a safe place to learn. I have been given the opportunity to be a full member of the team and counsel clients as well as doing group sessions. I set up relatively short training sessions to teach clients and colleges about various different subjects. Last but not least I do solution focused one-on-one sessions. This is a technique to motivate clients, during 45-minute sessions, in a very positive way.
- Intake assessments
- Take clients to the hospital
- One-on-one sessions
- Groups therapy sessions
- Exercise
- Guide on excursions
Read Nerissa’s full Interim Report on her Internship at Hope in 2015.
Volunteer Program at Hope Rehab Center Thailand
It is the philosophy of our program to provide a service for others, and we encourage people to continue this by giving back. We appreciate these precious contributions and welcome volunteers in a number of capacities. If you are interested in donating some of your valuable time or talents to Hope Rehab Center, please contact us.
Please note, that volunteers may provide treatment services to our clients. In exchange for your services, we will provide you with three meals a day and free accommodation. Thank you for helping us save lives through recovery!
Your duties and tasks as a volunteer vary depending on qualification and experience, but include the following:
- Help clients with assignment work
- Check in with clients and make sure they’re okay
- Attend all NA and AA meetings
- Role model with your actions and behaviour
- Promote the activities offered throughout the day
- Make sure there are enough water bottles the fridge and group rooms
- Help with activities during the days (e.g. shopping trips)
- Morning wake up and rounding up clients for groups/activities
- Assisting with check-ins and bag searches
Are there any requirements for volunteers?
Most Hope volunteers are graduted clients who have worked extremely hard on their recovery and been a role model to the whole community throughout their stay. It is possible though to become a volunteer at Hope without prior treatment here. Please contact us and inquire! Each application will be assessed individually. To become a volunteer you should have personal experience with addiction & recovery. People, who want to get back into the field of addiction treatment are welcome as well. Volunteering at Hope might also be a good idea if you would like to be introduced to working in the field of addiction treatment.
How to apply for the Hope intern program
You’re interested in an internship or would like to become a volunteer at Hope Rehab? Great! Please drop us a message via the contact form below and let us know who you are, why you’d like to join the team, what you have to offer, and the dates you’d be available for.
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